Heinz Hajek-Halke (1898 - 1983)

Tirage argentique d'époque. Au verso, avec le tampon copyright du photographe, le tampon d'archive et le numéro d'archive au crayon.

Vintage silver print. On the reverse, with the photographer's copyright and archive stamps and the archive number in pencil.

In very good condition. The print has a glossy surface. The corners are slightly bumped. At the lower edge a fine crack (approx. 1,5cm) in the emulsion layer. On the reverse, one small strip (approx. 1,5cm) of archival tape in the upper left corner.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"The Black and White Nude, one of the highlights in Hajek-Halke's oeuvre, is an extremely dynamic pictorial creation which no observer can ever forget. [...] The double woman freezes in a paradoxical unity of light and darkness, death and life, progress and persistence, transcience and permanence. [...] The opposite movement of the twofold figure coins her as the woman's woman, black and white at the same time, the synthesis of all races. [...] The picture seems unequivocal and ambivalent at the same time. [...] The black-and-white woman is above all an image of the double or the multiple goddess Artemis." (Michael Ruetz, Famous and hardly known: Heinz Hajek-Halke, dans: Heinz Hajek-Halke. Artist, Anarchist, Göttingen, Steidl, 2005, pp. 227/228.)